The South Africa international returns to Merseyside a year on from his move to the capital after finding his first-team opportunities limited at White Hart Lane
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Manchester United: Top 11 Replacements for David de Gea
David de Gea's command of English is non-existent, he flaps at crosses, his body language is terrible, he has bad eyes and that is why he's been a failure for Manchester United.
You can shrug off one mistake, you can overlook two mistakes and even be lenient by turning a blind eye to three mistakes.
But six mistakes so far for the third-most expensive goalkeeper of all time is ineptitude.
Buying a goalkeeper who has bad eyes makes as much sense as spending £7.4 million on some street kid that you've never seen or heard of.
The quicker de Gea has eye surgery, the better for Manchester United.
The problem for Sir Alex Ferguson is that Anders Lindegaard isn't a security blanket.
In fact, Peter Schmeichel believes Lindegaard isn't good enough for Manchester United.
So let's look at 11 possible signings that could be Manchester United's real No. 1.
SPL: Wednesday Wonders
The SPL works off the turkey and mince pies with a full Wednesday evening fixture. The eyes of the world upon us once more. Or at least the eyes of those Sky viewers not tempted by the tungsten superheroes at the Ally Pally.
Apparently recent form has left some Celtic supporters confident about this one.
Yet Ally McCoist was quick yesterday to talk about his confidence in victory.
I don't understand anybody displaying confidence before a big game. Fear, misery and a sense of doom are my defaults. And who is to say I've not got it right?
If you're expecting defeat it hurts less when you lose and you enjoy it more when you win.
Avoid hubris and project pitiful pessimism at all times. It's the path to a happier life.
Still, I'll never known what it's like to support one side or t'other in the greatest sporting rivalry on earth. And, for that matter, I'll never know what it's like to support one side or t'other in an Old Firm game either.
Instead I peer into the cauldron of Glasgow and a see a game that will end another chapter in a twisting title race.
Victory for either side will not close the book on this SPL championship. Last season provided enough of a lesson that the points and goals that win or lose titles can lie elsewhere.
It's still a game chock-full of meaning though.
For Celtic and particularly for Neil Lennon victory would offer the final act of redemption in the climb back from the dark days of autumn when they looked hopeless, Rangers looked rampant and Lennon looked vulnerable.
For Rangers and Ally McCoist a win, or even avoiding defeat, would offer evidence that a suddenly feeble looking Rangers are more than capable of holding off a resurgent Celtic.
Tonight's winners, if we're to have a winner, will lead the SPL into 2012. There's no glory in that. But it's an achievement that could offer mighty psychological succour to both sides in a season of mixed fortunes.
Who's it going to be?
Celtic have the momentum. 24 points from the last eight games. The sort of autumn-into-winter run that can define a title winning season.
Rangers have stumbled, fumbled, dropped the ball. Just 16 points from the last eight games, losing ground as Celtic have gobbled up the space between them.
An Old Firm game though. Windae, form book, oot the. We've seen it all before.
One point separates the two. Rangers have won 15, lost two, drawn three. Celtic have won 15, lost three, drawn two. Rangers have scored 37 goals, conceded 11. Celtic have scored 40, conceded 15.
Different seasons, different crises, different periods of sustained victory gathering.
Fag paper thin though, the differences between these behemoths.
A draw? Maybe I'm leaning towards that outcome. Maybe I'll cover myself by betting on a Celtic win.
And, while I'm in the bookies, it would be stupid not to put a couple of quid on Rangers as well.
If you're pushing me I'd say the build-up, current form and home advantage all point towards Celtic.
Mind you I've never been confident placing a bet in my life.
Let's hear it for the Hearts players. Supposedly facing the biggest off field challenges of their careers, the club facing a crossroads signposted gloom and doom.
And they've scored six in their last two outing, kept two clean sheets and enjoyed dominance over a Motherwell side who have been all but untouchable on the road.
Crisis? What crisis?
Aberdeen were enjoying a revival before they lost to Inverness on Christmas Eve. They can see daylight between themselves and relegation dunderheids Hibs and Dunfermline though.
And Hearts' struggle on the road which makes a midweek, wintry trip to Pittodrie as welcome as a letter from HMRC.
Draw.
A new manager but not a new dawn for Hibs. Pat Fenlon criticised the players' fitness after their second half capitulation against Dundee United.
If that is the case then the cluttered festive fixture list could offer dismal tidings for Hibs.
Fenlon seems to have identified the failings but this first period of his reign doesn't appear to offer much chance to right those wrongs.
Apparently some players are upset at the way they're now being spoken to on the training ground. Which just goes to show that even mentally weak, wage thieving wasters have feelings.
Inverness have been striving to impress in recent weeks and came through against Aberdeen with a makeshift side.
There's spirit among Butcher's boys. There's not much in evidence at Easter Road.
Defeat tonight and those last few believers will surely accept that Hibs are in their fight of their lives.
Who would bet against Inverness?
Motherwell will be slightly chastened after their Christmas Eve defeat at Tynecastle.
They've also been in the strange situation of struggling more at home than they have on the road. Goals have been hard to come by.
Dunfermline, caught in a torrid run of form and looking all at sea, should offer some succour tonight.
Home win.
Joyous wins, stern-faced draws, feeble defeats. St Johnstone and Kilmarnock have had seasons of fluctuating fortunes.
Who's to say they won't bond in their inconsistency with a draw tonight?
What do St Mirren do after a famous, much celebrated win against Rangers?
What do Dundee United do after coming back to beat Hibs?
The evidence of the season suggests that both will struggle to build on the winning of three points.
Which sets us up nicely for another draw.
The Scottish Football Blog blogathon took place in November in aid of Alzheimer Scotland and the Homeless World Cup. You can still donate to help two great causes.
Celtic v Rangers
Apparently recent form has left some Celtic supporters confident about this one.
Yet Ally McCoist was quick yesterday to talk about his confidence in victory.
I don't understand anybody displaying confidence before a big game. Fear, misery and a sense of doom are my defaults. And who is to say I've not got it right?
If you're expecting defeat it hurts less when you lose and you enjoy it more when you win.
Avoid hubris and project pitiful pessimism at all times. It's the path to a happier life.
Still, I'll never known what it's like to support one side or t'other in the greatest sporting rivalry on earth. And, for that matter, I'll never know what it's like to support one side or t'other in an Old Firm game either.
Instead I peer into the cauldron of Glasgow and a see a game that will end another chapter in a twisting title race.
Victory for either side will not close the book on this SPL championship. Last season provided enough of a lesson that the points and goals that win or lose titles can lie elsewhere.
It's still a game chock-full of meaning though.
For Celtic and particularly for Neil Lennon victory would offer the final act of redemption in the climb back from the dark days of autumn when they looked hopeless, Rangers looked rampant and Lennon looked vulnerable.
For Rangers and Ally McCoist a win, or even avoiding defeat, would offer evidence that a suddenly feeble looking Rangers are more than capable of holding off a resurgent Celtic.
Tonight's winners, if we're to have a winner, will lead the SPL into 2012. There's no glory in that. But it's an achievement that could offer mighty psychological succour to both sides in a season of mixed fortunes.
Who's it going to be?
Celtic have the momentum. 24 points from the last eight games. The sort of autumn-into-winter run that can define a title winning season.
Rangers have stumbled, fumbled, dropped the ball. Just 16 points from the last eight games, losing ground as Celtic have gobbled up the space between them.
An Old Firm game though. Windae, form book, oot the. We've seen it all before.
One point separates the two. Rangers have won 15, lost two, drawn three. Celtic have won 15, lost three, drawn two. Rangers have scored 37 goals, conceded 11. Celtic have scored 40, conceded 15.
Different seasons, different crises, different periods of sustained victory gathering.
Fag paper thin though, the differences between these behemoths.
A draw? Maybe I'm leaning towards that outcome. Maybe I'll cover myself by betting on a Celtic win.
And, while I'm in the bookies, it would be stupid not to put a couple of quid on Rangers as well.
If you're pushing me I'd say the build-up, current form and home advantage all point towards Celtic.
Mind you I've never been confident placing a bet in my life.
Aberdeen v Hearts
Let's hear it for the Hearts players. Supposedly facing the biggest off field challenges of their careers, the club facing a crossroads signposted gloom and doom.
And they've scored six in their last two outing, kept two clean sheets and enjoyed dominance over a Motherwell side who have been all but untouchable on the road.
Crisis? What crisis?
Aberdeen were enjoying a revival before they lost to Inverness on Christmas Eve. They can see daylight between themselves and relegation dunderheids Hibs and Dunfermline though.
And Hearts' struggle on the road which makes a midweek, wintry trip to Pittodrie as welcome as a letter from HMRC.
Draw.
Hibs v Inverness
A new manager but not a new dawn for Hibs. Pat Fenlon criticised the players' fitness after their second half capitulation against Dundee United.
If that is the case then the cluttered festive fixture list could offer dismal tidings for Hibs.
Fenlon seems to have identified the failings but this first period of his reign doesn't appear to offer much chance to right those wrongs.
Apparently some players are upset at the way they're now being spoken to on the training ground. Which just goes to show that even mentally weak, wage thieving wasters have feelings.
Inverness have been striving to impress in recent weeks and came through against Aberdeen with a makeshift side.
There's spirit among Butcher's boys. There's not much in evidence at Easter Road.
Defeat tonight and those last few believers will surely accept that Hibs are in their fight of their lives.
Who would bet against Inverness?
Motherwell v Dunfermline
Motherwell will be slightly chastened after their Christmas Eve defeat at Tynecastle.
They've also been in the strange situation of struggling more at home than they have on the road. Goals have been hard to come by.
Dunfermline, caught in a torrid run of form and looking all at sea, should offer some succour tonight.
Home win.
St Johnstone v Kilmarnock
Joyous wins, stern-faced draws, feeble defeats. St Johnstone and Kilmarnock have had seasons of fluctuating fortunes.
Who's to say they won't bond in their inconsistency with a draw tonight?
St Mirren v Dundee United
What do St Mirren do after a famous, much celebrated win against Rangers?
What do Dundee United do after coming back to beat Hibs?
The evidence of the season suggests that both will struggle to build on the winning of three points.
Which sets us up nicely for another draw.
The Scottish Football Blog blogathon took place in November in aid of Alzheimer Scotland and the Homeless World Cup. You can still donate to help two great causes.
Officiel : Lens r�cup�re une jeune pousse de Montpellier
Alors que Montpellier surprend tout son monde en cet exercice en occupant la deuxi�me place du classement du championnat de France de Ligue 1, difficile pour toutes les jeunes pousses du club de se faire une place. C'est le cas de Fod� Koita, jeune attaquant prometteur. Ne parvenant pas � gagner du temps de jeu, le buteur va faire l'objet d'un pr�t � Lens jusqu'� la fin de la saison. Une information confirm�e par le club (...) Lire la suite.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Everton boss Moyes hopes for busy deadline day
Everton boss David Moyes remains hopeful of making deadline day deals.
 |  |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
funny soccer pictures high school soccer rules history of football
Dimitar Berbatov Remains an Important Player for Manchester United
Today, Dimitar Berbatov celebrates his 31st birthday, but even as he enters the twilight of his career, the Bulgarian has plenty left to offer Manchester United.
Reports in January linked Berbatov with a move away from Old Trafford, although it now appears he will remain at the club for at least another six months. Some fans are ready to see the striker depart, but his continued presence in the squad can only be positive.
Berbatov has divided opinion among United supporters since his record-breaking £30.75 million move from Tottenham Hotspur in September 2008. Some label him brilliant for his majestic touch and ability to score spectacular goals. Others dismiss him as lazy and too inconsistent in front of goal. While both sides present valid arguments, the pros outweigh the cons.
Despite being the club’s leading scorer last season and joint-recipient of the Premier League Golden Boot, Berbatov started the 2011-12 campaign as the fourth-choice striker at United. It was only in December that Berbatov was provided a genuine opportunity, and he quickly seized it with a cheeky backheel against Fulham, a hat trick against Wigan and a brace against Blackburn.
Yet he remains behind Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez in the pecking order. That must surely come as a disappointment to Berbatov, but it is a brilliant situation for United and their supporters. Few clubs can claim to have such a wealth of attacking depth, and realistically the only Premier League club that could rival them in that regard is Manchester City.
No matter how well Berbatov performs, though, he is met with criticism from United supporters. One of the most common concerns is his languid style of play. He does not tirelessly run like Rooney or Welbeck, nor is he as fast as Hernandez, but he should not be dismissed on that basis. He is a different brand of striker, one who relies more on his skill and intelligence.
Berbatov thrives in scenarios where United need to control possession. He is gifted with one of the most elegant touches in the world and has a creativity that few possess. His assist against West Ham in the 2008/09 season summed up all of Berbatov's valuable attributes. It was a moment of sheer genius made possible by a superb touch, and it perfectly illustrated why this sport is called the beautiful game.
Such a player would have been ideal against Liverpool on Saturday. Berbatov was more suited to control possession and lead the attack than Park Ji-Sung, whose heavy touch and errant passes often gave away possession.
Berbatov also would have been a better substitute for Paul Scholes than Hernandez. United was controlling possession when Scholes was removed, and it was only then that Liverpool began to take over the game. Berbatov could have come on and maintained the possession that United had enjoyed. Instead, he was not introduced until 89th minute when United already trailed 2-1.
Having a player so different from his peers is advantageous to United. It gives Sir Alex options. The manager once said he likes to have four strikers in his squad, but having four strikers all with similar style is pointless. Diversity is a must. Each must contribute something unique to the team.
A forward like Berbatov is desirable in certain situations, like in the match against Liverpool, and he is one of the best at what he does.
United fans have also raised concern with Berbatov’s inconsistent scoring. In September 2010, Berbatov scored the first United hat trick against Liverpool in 64 years. He then went silent for two months before scoring five goals against Blackburn Rovers in late November. The goal droughts Berbatov suffers from are likely his greatest downfall. He scored 21 goals for United last season in all competitions, but 11 of those goals came in only three appearances.
Scoring goals is the principal objective for any striker, but Berbatov contributes more than goals. The aforementioned style of play and ability to create chances are just two examples of what he brings to a team, and they help compensate for his occasional struggles in front of goal. Berbatov also provides experience to a young squad, and the benefits of experience must never be underestimated.
Berbatov has become a victim of United’s style of play. Sir Alex prefers speed in the attack, which makes Rooney, Welbeck and Hernandez all more suited to the current tactics. However, Berbatov still has a part to play. He not only provides superb cover for his three colleagues, but his unique style and attributes continue to make him the ideal forward against certain opposition.
It seems unfair for a striker of Berbatov's quality to not be playing more regularly. Perhaps a move away would have been best for the player, but to have such quality in depth is certainly favorable for United.
Read more Manchester United news on BleacherReport.com
Sports News: Ferguson set for Stoke challenge
Sir Alex Ferguson is relishing the prospect of his Manchester United side facing the unique challenge presented by Stoke at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Sports News: Hoops beat rivals in Brozek chase
Neil Lennon has confirmed Celtic's transfer coup over Old Firm rivals Rangers with the signing of Ibrox target Pawel Brozek from Trabzonspor.
simplified soccer rules soccer ball pictures soccer ball wiki
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Falkirk: Bairns Learn History?
Falkirk face Celtic in a semi-final knowing that Kilmarnock lie in wait in the final.
It's the 1997 Scottish Cup all over again. History doesn't repeat itself, does it?
Mind you, Falkirk don't have the best of records in the league cup. They qualified for the second final back in 1947/48 and promptly lost 4-1 in a replay against Second Division East Fife.
Celtic, meanwhile, have won the trophy 14 times and played in 28 finals.
Like this? Like the Scottish Football Blog on Facebook.
It's the 1997 Scottish Cup all over again. History doesn't repeat itself, does it?
Mind you, Falkirk don't have the best of records in the league cup. They qualified for the second final back in 1947/48 and promptly lost 4-1 in a replay against Second Division East Fife.
Celtic, meanwhile, have won the trophy 14 times and played in 28 finals.
Like this? Like the Scottish Football Blog on Facebook.
Lionel Messi / Villa boss McLeish: I tried to sign Barcelona star Messi for Rangers
Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish admits he tried to sign Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi for Rangers.
During season 2003-04 he came closest to the greatest signing of them all — Messi.
Read more Lionel Messi news
During season 2003-04 he came closest to the greatest signing of them all — Messi.
Read more Lionel Messi news
michigan football blog michigan football recruiting michigan football roster
Euro 2012 Draw Done, Dusted, Diabolically Good
Big names and bad jokes ruled the day in Nyon as the Euro names were announced. And given that it’s the Euros, where the quality has a higher density, Groups of Death are often just the groups. However, Group B is a clusterfuck of quality and Group C, should Bilic’s boys get their acts together [...]
Sports News: Celtic set to sign Brozek
Celtic appear to have beaten rivals Rangers in the race to sign Pawel Brozek after the Polish striker claimed he had agreed a move to Parkhead.
Guardian Sport Network | Southampton, West Ham, Cardiff City and Boro battle at top
With two points separating four teams, is this the closest second-tier promotion battle since 1992?
Southampton and West Ham United are level at the top of the Championship on 47 points, while Cardiff City and Middlesbrough both lie just two points further back on 45 apiece. In a division which is more accustomed to runaway winners, this is the closest gap between first and fourth on 3 January since 1992.
Back then, Blackburn Rovers and Ipswich Town each had 44 points although the latter had played two games more than the Lancashire club. Southend United had 43, Middlesbrough had 42 and Leicester City and Cambridge United both sat on 41 points. There were then three teams ? Swindon Town, Derby County and Portsmouth ? with 39 points from their 24 games and all had games in hand on four of the six sides above them.
The 1991-92 Division Two season ended with Ipswich crowned champions and Boro runners-up. Derby, Leicester, Cambridge and Blackburn took the play-off places, with sixth-placed Blackburn achieving promotion to the top flight following a 1-0 win over Leicester at Wembley. Swindon finished eighth, Portsmouth ninth and Swindon down in 12th.
By the 1999-2000 season, the second tier of English football was known as Division One. On 3 January 2000, although the gap between first and fourth was four points rather than the current margin of two, the top five teams were separated by just five points. Manchester City led the way on 52 points, with Charlton Athletic, Ipswich Town, Barnsley and Huddersfield Town in hot pursuit. When the season came to a close, the top two had swapped places and Ipswich and Barnsley had retained their positions in fourth and fifth while Huddersfield had slipped to eighth. Ipswich went on to secure promotion by beating Barnsley at Wembley, following a quite incredible play-off semi-final second-leg win over Bolton Wanderers.
Incidentally, the tables before the introduction of three points for a win make for interesting reading. On 3 January 1967, for instance, the first thirteen places were separated by just six points ? and this in a division which comprised 22 teams rather than the 24 in the current Championship. By the end of the season, Coventry City had edged out Wolverhampton Wanderers by a point and there was then a six-point gap down to third-placed Carlisle United.
To find the last time there was a closer gap between first and fourth in the English second tier, we must go back just one season further to the 1965-66 campaign. Huddersfield and Coventry had both taken 32 points from their opening 24 games and Manchester City, having played a game fewer, and Wolves, having played a game more, both had 31. Manchester City ended the season as champions with 59 points, edging out Southampton on 54. Coventry finished third, Huddersfield fourth and Wolves sixth.
There are warning signs aplenty in these names. Those were heady days for Coventry in particular. These two consecutive top three finishes were followed by a creditable sixth place in the First Division in 1969-70. To this day, that remains the Sky Blues' last top-six finish in any division. In 1965-66, as Coventry were roaring to third in the second tier, Northampton Town were enjoying the only top flight season in their history to date. Fast forward to 3 January 2012 and the Cobblers are level on points with Plymouth Argyle at the foot of the Football League.
These points of interest tell us nothing, of course, about the destination of the title this April. But on 3 January 2009, the gap between first and fourth places in the Championship was 14 points. A year later, it was 14 again. Last year, it was seven. Today it is two, making this a title race to be savoured.
The top four are much further apart in the current form table. If only taking each side's last six fixtures into account, no team in the division has accumulated more than the 13 points managed by Middlesbrough (although Derby also have 13, which have been racked up with a better goal difference). Cardiff have 11 points from their last six games and West Ham have just seven. That leaves the Hammers 16th in the form table, but they have been doing marvellously compared to league leaders Southampton.
Nigel Adkins has overseen a return of just five points from Saints' last six games ? only Nottingham Forest have fewer (four) and three of those came in Monday's 3-1 win at Ipswich. Southampton, in contrast, have lost twice in four days since their Boxing Day victory over Crystal Palace. When they return from FA Cup duty, Saints face Forest at the City Ground and will also square up to both West Ham and Cardiff within the next six weeks.
It's all shaping up nicely. So who's your money on?
? This is an article from our Guardian Sport Network. To find out more about it, click here.
? This blog was written by David Bevan for The Seventy Two.
guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
history of soccer timeline interesting soccer facts mexican soccer pictures
Arsenal vs. Manchester United: Ranking United's Players in the Emirates' Victory
Manchester United firmed their grip on second place in the Premier League and is back within three points of leaders Manchester City after they had too much for Arsenal at the Emirates and ran out 2-1 winners.
Here, we look at the United players on display and award their marks out of 10.
After a very quiet and largely uneventful first half—save for Phil Jones' awkward-looking injury—United came to life in injury time and took the lead thanks to an Antonio Valencia header from Ryan Giggs' cross.
Arsenal was better in the second period and, after Robin van Persie had spurned a gifted chance to equalise, did get itself back on level terms with an equaliser from the same man.
At that point it looked like the home team would go on to claim the three points—but Danny Welbeck got the all-important third goal of the game to send the away fans home happy instead.
Making Over the US Open Cup | WVHooligan - Soccer Blog [Digg]
Just go ahead and add this to the dozen or so other posts out there today about the US Open Cup. I'll spare you the preview between the Seattle Sounders FC
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Liverpool boss Dalglish loses rag over Evra jeers question
Liverpool
Manchester United
Kenny Dalglish
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish lost his rag with reporters after their FA Cup win over Manchester United.
| |
| |
 |  |
| |
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)